Fatal post-partum pulmonary vasculitis in systemic lupus erythematosus

A patient with fatal acute pulmonary vasculitis complicating systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) of ten years duration is described. The patient died seven days after an uneventful pregnancy and delivery. Pathologic examination demonstrated acute necrotizing changes as well as organized lesions in pulmonary arteries. Acute pulmonary arteritis is rare in SLE and may develop as one of the major complications of the disease in the potentially dangerous post-partum period.